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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#148: The Lease I Can Do

Most of us at one time or another will live in an apartment building. Whether you live in a dorm while at college, or you live in a high-rise in Manhattan, sharing a wall or two with your neighbors certainly keeps things interesting. And living in such close proximity to other people has its pros and cons — you’re never too far from help if you need it, but you’re also never too far from the party your downstairs neighbors seem to throw every weekend.

What are some of your fondest (or least fond) memories of apartment living? Use these five prompts to explore what it’s really like to live in an apartment building — or just a little too close to your neighbors for comfort.

This week's prompts

Write about two neighbors who cannot stand each other.

Sad – 43 stories

Write a story involving a noise complaint.

Sad – 45 stories

Include a character in your story that is often in an apartment building, but doesn’t actually live there.

High School – 38 stories

Write about a couple touring an empty apartment they might rent.

Narrative – 27 stories

Write about an apartment building being demolished.

Sad – 42 stories

Stories

“Slow Motion” by Ionel Rusanu

Submitted to Contest #148

My demons were louder than usual tonight. But their voices were garbled, unintelligible. It was like listening to a record played backwards. I even tried that once. I was not even born in 1981, when a Michigan minister named Michael Mills (another Mike with issues) rambled at some Christian radio that phrases like “master Satan,” “serve me,” and “there’s no escaping it” were hidden in the grooves of the Led Zeppelin hit “Stairway to Heaven” when played backwards. Of course, I don’t own a vinyl record player and moreover, I don’t have a Led ...

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“Apartment C Four” by Kay Hamilton

Submitted to Contest #148

“Have you settled into your new apartment yet?” “I did yesterday, Mom,” I shut my apartment door with my hands full, “actually One of the neighbors woke me up at midnight making the worst ruckus.” “Did you tell the manager?” I sat the box down, “They probably just moved in, too. I guess I can go introduce myself.” “Yeah and get the juicy gossip.” “Mom, I’m not my sister, but I will keep you updated. I gotta go, Mom. Love you. Bye.” “I love you, too, Benjamin. Bye,” She hung up. I dropped my phone onto the counter, and I took the box to the h...

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“130 Days with Dad” by Ben Mears

Submitted to Contest #148

February 2nd: My son moved back home today. I couldn’t believe it when I saw him rolling down the driveway in the passenger seat of his roommate’s car. The thing was packed to bursting with cardboard boxes. Unfolded shirts and clothes hangers stuck through holes in them like cheese through a grater. I met Joseph as he got out of the car. His caramel-brown hair was tied up in a messy bun. That was new. We exchanged pleasantries, and he introduced me to Mark, who'd offered the use of his car while Joseph’s was getting some bodywork done. M...

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“I Practically Live Here” by Marie Moses

Submitted to Contest #148

“Someone’s going to see you,” Alex whispered. “You keep coming out of the room. This apartment isn’t that big.” John shrugged, “no one’s going to see me, trust me.” Alex sighed loudly, “you haven’t met my dad then. He’s going to see you and he’s going to kick you out.” “Trust me, Alex.” “Then you have to go home or hide, pick one.” John sighed, rolling his big brown eyes, “I’ll go.” “Thank you. You can come by tomorrow.” “Fine, fine.” Alex smiled, hugging her friend. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She stood up off the soft carpet, l...

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“The Equipment Room Caper” by Michael Regan

Submitted to Contest #148

Constable Vic Clarke of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) looked perplexed. As he filled out the incident report:______________________________________________________LOST PROPERTY REPORTThe completion of this report will document the loss of Personal Property Vancouver Police DepartmentREPORT NUMBER: 1982-06-011Call 604 555-1212 and ask for a “Lost Property” report number. If thisnumber is not filled in, your report will not be recorded by the Department.NAME: John SchwartzSTREET: 1155 Beach St. Vancouver, BC SUITE/APT: Apt. #...

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“THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT” by Del Gibson

Submitted to Contest #148

From the basement, I take the stairs to the ground floor. When I enter, there’s a creature in the corner. It’s putrid breath reaches me; I tremor in horrifying terror as it exhales death and rot into my face. It pierces me with large red eyes, then scuttles off along the ceiling – gone as if it never existed. It's freezing cold, and there is no power to the building, after a small fire on the third floor damaged the wiring. So far tonight, I’ve checked through the basement where all the staff lockers, changing rooms and showers are located, ...

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“Toby” by Cristi Ropp

Submitted to Contest #148

As I drank my coffee, trying to get my brain to realize my body was actually out of bed and moving about the apartment without it I heard her giggle. "Uh! She's doing it again!" I grumbled as I made my way down the hall to Addy's room. "Same thing almost every morning for the last 2 weeks." Her door was open a bit, so I peeked in and there was my beautiful, amazingly intelligent daughter sitting on her bed talking and giggling with absolutely no one. "It's normal for children to have imaginary friends." they said. And when they are an ...

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“The Third Postman” by Jared Lenover

Submitted to Contest #148

This story includes violence and coarse language. “He threw it out, right in front of me.” Pearce was incredulous, but he hadn’t been in the gang very long. This kind of thing happened. “You got it back?” “Yeah. From the main garbage bin in the basement this morning. 1025 dumped it down the chute with his trash.” Pearce was holding a padded envelope, the kind with bubble wrap lining the inside. Hatch listened from his seat on the swings. Other members of the Postmen were milling around the dark playground, talking or getting assignme...

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“THE GHOST OF THE APARTMENT BUILDING IN VIA ARIOSTO” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #148

THE GHOST OF THE APARTMENT BUILDING IN VIA ARIOSTO Gaetano had begun to frequent that apartment building as a young man, when he was ( had been) a door-to-door salesman, first of encyclopedias, then of household cleaning products, then of kitchen utensils. That five storey building, divided into apartments ___on each floor there were four apartments____had been built in the seventies of the twentieth century. Then in the following decades, the area had thickened with ot...

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“The Time James and Hannah Visited Baldwin Hall Apartments” by Michelle Sholund

Submitted to Contest #148

Not having any luck in their apartment search, James and Hannah gave in to letting a mutual friend of theirs make arrangements to check out a newly renovated apartment building called Baldwin Hall Apartments. Agreeing to meet with the friends contact, an employee of the apartment building, Hannah and James arrived early the next day to scope out the building and then meet the employee. The two drove by the front of the brilliant brick building with stone accents before parking noticing how it looked old and modern at the same time. The a...

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“Two Cooks Looking for an Apartment” by Zach Martz

Submitted to Contest #148

Bryan Grossman was quick to greet the couple that had walked into the leasing office for their scheduled appointment. “Paul and Cady McFadden, it’s so nice to meet the two of you,” he said with his hand extended toward them. “Nice to meet you too,” Cady said as she shook his hand, with her beaming husband doing likewise. “I love this building already!” Paul exclaimed. “That lobby is so beautiful, what with the crystal chandelier and the black marble and everything. And that fountain right outside the main door! Classy!” “Well we do pri...

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“It Wasn't Meant To Be” by Latha Prakash

Submitted to Contest #148

The key fit snugly in the keyhole. Sean twisted the knob and opened the door. Holding Sierra's hand with his left hand he entered the house that he hoped would soon transform into their home. He had opted for a self-guided tour of the apartment hoping against hope that Sierra would like it and give her nod. It was a one-bedroom apartment surrounded by a canopy of trees. They entered the living room and freeing herself of his grasp, Sierra walked to the kitchen. She opened every cabinet making a mental note of the space available and trying t...

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“The Final Complex” by Makayla Davis

Submitted to Contest #148

“So, how do you feel about this one?” Joanne and Kaine looked up at their broker exasperatedly, too engrossed in hushed conversation to notice that they were nearing their ninth showing of the day. They must have heard that question a hundred times now. Night had fallen on the group of three, and even the golf cart they were using to trek around the neighboring communities seemed to sputter in exhaustion. The broker held his phone up to their faces to show them yet another apartment complex. They didn't even bother to glance at it.“Oh, ...

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“The 22nd Floor” by Lynette Pierce

Submitted to Contest #148

The 22nd Floor I really hated to see it go. My old apartment building was so beautiful. At one time, it was the most stunning piece of architecture in the city. Tourists traveled here just to see this building. I've lived here my whole life. Thirty-nine years in the same location. I was actually born in the elevator. My mom went into labor in our apartment on the 22nd floor, and she’d only made it down to the 14th floor when I was born. It was always a joke in my family that I couldn’t wait to enter the world and that the elevator in the ...

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“The Soul Within” by J. K. Williams

Submitted to Contest #148

I have stood on this stone foundation for as long as I can remember. I remember the men and women who brought me to life all those years ago with hammers and nails, cement and brick, paint and gold filigree. They built me over long nights and days, one wall at a time. They painted my walls and ceiling, filled me with religion and children, singing and knowledge. I have been home to many things over the years, gutted and rebuilt to make room for something different. I was a marvel for years, evident in the stares of those who would stop on th...

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$250

Prize money

195

Contest entries

90

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 03, 2022 EST

Won by S.K. Wulf 🏆

Title: Two Stubborn Women

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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